Signs of Spring!

Bullard City Park. The first big swing of 2008!
Blake: Short Sleeves & Blue Skies! I love it!
Bryce AKA Spiderman!

The grass is turning green & the sky is blue...the first "swing" of the year! And, a new jungle gym!

Help!

Help! I can't stop buying smocked bishop dresses! Someone please take E-Bay off my computer favorites!!!

Officially on Steps 2-6

Today we received an e-mail from the Dillon Staff stating we are officially on Steps 2-6 of the paperwork process in VietNam. We will be in this "phase" for approximately 6 weeks. I am hoping for a height & weight update before too long.

The Baby's Stroller

Here's Baby Girl's Stroller...set to be delivered today by the UPS Man! I couldn't help myself & bought the Powder Pink color! So a check by the stroller & now I can concentrate on the car seat......

Recovering...

I had day surgery Friday Morning, so I am glued to the recliner & have been blog surfing & such. My boxer puppy has kept me company; such a sweet dog. Our boys have been at their grandparents since Thursday night. Truly, this house is way too quiet without them, so I had my mom bring them back this afternoon. James is home & has been a great help, but I am just not very good at this 'resting' thing. I'm more of an up & doing things type!

We finally got the long awaited "Vietnam Waiting Families Letter" from our agency on Friday. I was discouraged for my forum friends that the referral times have been extended from 6-9 months wait for a girl to 12-15 months. We all thought "it" was coming, but it really doesn't make "it" any easier for those still waiting. It's just really so darn long!

We are hoping to hear that our I600 form has been received/logged in the system in VN next week. The time frame for approval is supposed to be a maximum of 60 days, but it can be extended.

Take Care everyone & try not to let the wait make you crazy....I should say the same for myself! :)

I came across this photo earlier today. It's one of my favorites. This was taken at age 5 & I had titled it Remember Me Little. It's one of my favorites....

You Build Your Nest, I'll Build Mine

Getting started.

She's done...not me!

Mama Bird is getting ready for Spring on the front porch. This is her spot. We used to have swallows here every year, but this little bird stole her spot last year & it looks like she is back. So, here she is & I'll call this post, You Build Your Nest, I'll Build Mine. Although, as you will see, she totally finished before me!

I just had to try this out!

Make a scrapbook - it's easy!

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day! Wishing you much Love! From Blake, Bryce & Caleigh!

He watches over us.....

I picked up this antique picture at a local shop a few weeks ago. It was before our referral. I have it hanging in our home now. It reminds me every day of His Promise. I know that He is watching over our child. He carries her & holds her in His arms safe & sound while her mother looks up at Him. I'm in Texas & my baby's in Vietnam. She is well taken care of until I can be there to carry her home. Forever Grateful.....

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Caleigh is 4 months old today!!!

Height & Weight Update: On January 25th, Caleigh weighed 10 1/2 pounds & was 22" long. This is not always exact, but it sounds right by tracking her weight each month since birth.

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Blake & Bryce's Room

Well, there's been talk in blogland about kids'/baby rooms. I love seeing how others have decorated their kiddos' rooms. It's fun to get cute ideas & storage ideas. So, here's my sons' room. They're 7, but it's been decorated like this since they were 3 1/2. I like it because it's lasted well through these years & since it wasn't a true "theme" room, they still haven't grown out of it! I'm working on Caleigh's room. It will be a while before I'm done, but I'll post photos when I am! :)

Acceptance Papers to Vietnam

Our acceptance paperwork for baby Caleigh is on its way to VietNam!

Sweet Little Girl...Smile for Me!

Caleigh age 3 1/2 months. I think I got lucky & got a picture in with Christina's referral. Sweet little girl, next time won't you smile for me???! :)

Acceptance Papers Mailed

Our acceptance papers were mailed to Dillon today...along with a nice little check.

I think I enjoyed filling out this set of papers the best. It definately got done the quickest!!!

On the referral being from CanTho.

Several people have asked me, so I thought I would address it here. The question being "Did you request that your referral come from CanTho?" The answer is no. First of all, Dillon works with 5 different orphanages in Vietnam. I am not aware of PAPs being able to request what orphanage their child will be in....if it is an option, I was not told. I will be honest, I was very uneasy when I first learned that Dillon worked with the Red Cross Orphanage in CanTho where our boys were. The adoption of our boys was not smooth to say the least. There were too many problems & obstacles to mention...it would take all night. Long & short of it is that the local province of CanTho had much to do with numerous delays. I also think our previous agency didn't know how to deal with it too. When our friends & family heard that our baby girl is in CanTho waiting for us, they were dumbfounded. "Seriously, do you want to go back??? " Well, I would go to the ends of the Earth if that was where our daughter is, so I guess I can go back to CanTho! Don't get me wrong, I love Vietnam & we loved our time in CanTho as well. It was just the long wait to go! I am eager to travel back to Vietnam. I hope to have many days to tour & sightsee because we didn't venture out too much with the twins. CanTho....well, well....God does work in mysterious ways now doesn't He!

Sweet Friends & Sons

Thanks to my sweet friend, Julie, for bringing me these tulips yesterday in celebration of learning about our daughter. She has such a sweet heart & I honestly do not know how she found pink tulips (my absolute favorite!) on the 1st of February in East Texas!

I also found the sticky note where Bryce spelled Caleigh's name for the first time over a year ago when we told them we were going to adopt. I framed it for fear it would be lost. Thank you Bryce. You & Blake are going to be wonderful big brothers.